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Samoa Observer journalist charged
Marieta Ilalio
(Photo: Junior S Ami)
By Shalveen Chand
•
25 March 2026, 9:42AM
Police have charged Samoa Observer senior journalist Marieta Ilalio with two counts of defamation following a complaint from the children of Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt.
Ilalio was called to come to the Samoa Police Headquarters on Tuesday morning. Upon arriving at the police station, she was charged and bailed to appear in court next month.
The charges stem from an article by Ilalio regarding the alleged use of police vehicles by Laaulialemalietoa’s sons and the transfer of a senior police officer.
